I've used a local product by Goat Boy soaps, and love it!  Unfortunately, it's not an inexpensive product, just praised as organic and great for anybody that has a problem using commercial laundry products.

I'd love to hear how your laundry soap works!

Naomi-CT

Wow GeorgiaZ…at first I was saying “what in the heck is Zote and soda wash…?”..then you mentioned it is at the grocery store. LOL I used Tide for YEARS…then they changed something and I swear, everything made me itch that I tried..or made my stomach swell….or made me feel nervous!! Can you believe nervous????

So, we started using Rainsoft liquid, as we got a water softener…and let me tell you, that stuff is PRICEY.

The recipe I have is from here:

http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/

It's very similar to yours Georgia.  I can't wait to try it!  I even bought a brand new 5-gallon bucket and lid just for this.

My whole family had the same problem with Tide.  I only use it for the dog poop in the yard.

Dog poop in the yard? How do you use Tide for that?

I got the dry laundry soap recipe from the tipnut too. I couldn't tell how it cleaned, but am glad to hear that it does.

Does liquid laundry soap cost less to make? (Would someone please do the math?!)

I am SO bad at calculating, I have no idea if it saved money or not!!! I think I spent about $7.00 dollars all told, and it might have washed about 20 loads. I used a third of a cup. I'm pretty sure that's not saving much money, although the way I look at it, it's cheaper than buying organic. It's been several months since I tried it. Maybe I got a bit too excited and used ALL of each ingredient-and that's why I ended up spending more than you gals here. Hmm.

There are different kinds of laundry soap out there. In this area (SW VA), there is Octagon Laundry Soap. I knew about it because my Dad used to bathe in it, and wash his HAIR with it, and then wonder why his hair looked like a frizzy, dried Dandelion. I wondered too. Now I know. The stuff is caustic! Maybe that's why his hair fell out too…eventually… a bit at a time… Anyway…back to the soap making.

I really really love the smell of Downey. What I remember of it, as it's way too dear to buy these days. Is there a recipe for fabric softener where you would add scent and have it smell as strongly and as good as the store brands? I have been looking for that sort of recipe.

My husband works with chemicals. He used to SWEAR they were no big deal. I used to SWEAR they were. I could never convince him, as the company he works for brain-washed him. So, about a month ago, he walked in the door and said, “You know, chemicals are in the lotion you wear, and the makeup, and the shampoo, etc., did you know that? Maybe we should be more careful with what we buy and use on our bodies.”  I hit him with my new cast iron frying pan. I haven't heard a word out of him since.

I am thinking that anything homemade now would be much safer than store bought. It's just all the SMELL I will miss. So, anyway. That's my longwinded post!

Here are a few of what I have.

Homemade laundry detergent. This fills a 200 ounce detergent bottle. Please read all instructions before making.

What you Need:
1/3 Bar ZOTE soap (you can get this on the spanish isle at Dollar General for $1 a bar and you get 3 helpings from it)
1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax (you can get this at you local grocer for about $3 in the cleaners isle)
1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (this should be near the Borax for about $3)
3 Quarts of boiling water (you will also need 5 more quarts of boiling water)
Big “old” pot

Directions:
Put 3 quarts of water in the pot and bring to a boil. Grate soap into the water and stir until melted. Add Borax and stir until dissolved and then add the washing soda and stir until dissolved. Cook for about 1 hour until it begins to resemble honey (it will stay pink). Put 1 quart of boiling water in a 5 gallon bucket and then add the mixture and mix well. Add 4 more quarts of boiling water and mix well. Let stand for 12 hours before using. Let cool for a couple of hours and then you can use the top of a milk jug for a funnel and fill your detergent bottle. Pour slowly. When it is set it will resemble chicken fat, but don;t be concerned, you can put some in a small pot and heat it up slowly on the stove top and bring it back to a liquid. This is what I do because I have a front load washer and it works well for me. Use 1/2 to 3/4 cup per load.

If you would like to have a scent, just add about 10 drops of any essential oil that you may have.

This is a low sudsing detergent which is great because it helps lengthen the life of your washer.
Also for those who asked, here is the fabric softner recipe I use. PLEASE read all instructions first and follow them carefully.

I got this from the BYC website where I got this recipe and some others, it is someone elses (much smarter than I) calculations. The boxes are about the same prices for me but the zote costs me 1.19 per bar.

“I use Zote soap which is a 14 oz bar. The recipe calls for a 1/3 bar which averages around 4.3 ounces. The bar cost $0.60 per bar. That equals to $0.20 per batch.

Arm & Hammer Washing Soda which is $3.89 for a 55 oz. box. The recipe calls for a 1/2 cup. I calculate the price by the the weight and then multiplied that by the actual measurement needed for a 1/2 cup which is just over 4 oz. And that comes to $0.29 per batch.

Borax which is $3.99 for a 76 oz. box. Used same calculation technique as above and it came to $0.18 per batch.

So with my calculations of .20 + .29 + .18 = $0.67 cents per 2 gallons of detergent.”

Fabric Softner
What you need:1 cup baking soda
6 cup white distilled vinegar
8 cup warm water
10-15 drops of essential oil (optional) for scent
1 gallon empty container ( I use an old fabric softner jug)

Directions: FOLLOW CAREFULLY
1.) Put soda in container
2.) Add 1 cup warm water and swish
3.) Add all 6 cups of vinegar A LITTLE AT A TIME because it will foam up very quick (all I do is swish it around in the jug).
4.) Add 7 cups of warm water and swish some more. MAKE SURE TO VENT IT.
5.) Add essential oils (optional) for scent

Store and use as you would use store bought. Hope this helps you save some money. I just go ahead and stock up on the ingredients for both the detergent and softner. Let me know how you like it.

Dishwasher Detergent

Mix and use per dishwasher load:

1 Tablespoon Borax
1 Tablespoon Baking soda

Glasses come out a little cloudy, but everything is nice and clean without the horrifying bleach smell of store bought dishwasher detergent.  We love all this stuff, and it is very cost effective!

BABY WIPES RECIPE
Step One

Strong paper towels work the best.
Cut one roll of paper towels in half.
Take out the core so wipes pull out of the center.

Step Two

Make solution.

2 cups water
1/2 cup of baby oil
1/2 cup baby magic baby bath

Step Three

Place 1/2 roll of paper towels in container.
Pour solution over towels.
Store in container. Makes 2 1/2 rolls.

I totally agree, I just want to do without as much as we possible can, its like the preservatives in every food they process. It is hard as heck to get around it all, but at least we try. And I do believe that every little bit helps.

Cyndi B said:

Dog poop in the yard? How do you use Tide for that?

You sprinkle a little Tide on the piles, and when it rains it foams a little and breaks down faster.  It also makes the yard smell a LOT better.

I had no idea, Gizmo! Thanks!

Shoot, I forgot to say there is a great website called Soapsgonebuy.com that has everything you could possibly need for making detergent. They also sell 5lb bags of this soap premade. They have recipes and every soap imagineable! Hope it helps.